Pistol Cartridge Selection for Big Game

[Criticalt]

Disagree on that last part.

Any pistol cartridge has the potential to kill a bear. But some are much better suited for such a task than others.



I too have heard the story of the Alaskan guide who took down a grizzly with 9mm. I know that it can be done; that doesn't mean it should be done. You're taking a lot more risk with a smaller cartridge like that, which carries less energy compared to the 3 mentioned above. 9mm, and the other usual considerations for everyday carry (.40s&w and .45 acp) are out of the question for my purposes. I need a bit more certainty from whatever handgun I'm carrying; those lighter cartridges just don't provide that.

The deer and bear trackers I've talked all seem to lean towards .357 magnum or heavier magnums (and revolver platforms). I haven't heard of anyone carrying 10mm, though I'm sure with the appropriate ammo it will offer similar performance to that of .357 mag.

If you are tracking an injured bear, chances are you will be within 30-40 feet to make the kill.
A 22LR with the proper gun and placement will kill the bear with 1 shot, 100% of the time.
Like @Willjr75 is saying, a 9mm has enough "power" to hit blood carrying vitals, which is how pistols kill things.
So, enough is enough, the bear will not be more dead just because the bullet hit vitals faster.

 

[Upstate43]

If you are tracking an injured bear, chances are you will be within 30-40 feet to make the kill.

There's also the chance the bear or deer could still be up and mobile or in an area where an optimal flanking shot is not available, in which case a heavier-hitting cartridge would be preferred. There is a lot of uncertainty with game recovery....you can't just plan for the best-case scenario.

And even at 30-40 feet, something like a 9mm would be less than optimal. Most guides and trackers who do this stuff on a regular basis do not rely on 9mm, and comparable cartridges, for that exact reason.

A 22LR with the proper gun and placement will kill the bear with 1 shot, 100% of the time.

The problem with that logic is that no one has perfect shot placement 100% of the time, especially in realistic field conditions. And something like a .22lr would most definitely require perfect shot placement to have 1 shot lethality on something like a black bear. This goes back to my earlier statement: just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done.

I know that there a lot of pistol cartridges which, under the right circumstances, can kill black bear and deer. I'm looking for a cartridge that is well-suited to killing black and deer. That's a very important distinction.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Nobody is saying to carry a 9mm. It was just used as a real world example that penetration to vitals is all that counts and not energy. Hell, the added energy of big bore pistol calibers don't even put down humans unless vitals are stuck. Even the added energy of rifle bullets don't either as evidenced in every war we were ever involved in.

A 10mm with the right ammo will do the job as long as a good hard cast is used and those penetrate further than the 9mm or .38 Special with the right ammo that did the job on multiple occasions.

The problem with that logic is that no one has perfect shot placement 100% of the time, especially in realistic field conditions.

Which is why 11 rounds of 10mm with quicker follow up shots due to recoil springs and quick reloads with magazines is better than 5 shots in a high recoiling revolver that has slow reloads.

 

[Criticalt]

There's also the chance the bear or deer could still be up and mobile or in an area where an optimal flanking shot is not available, in which case a heavier-hitting cartridge would be preferred. There is a lot of uncertainty with game recovery....you can't just plan for the best-case scenario.

And even at 30-40 feet, something like a 9mm would be less than optimal. Most guides and trackers who do this stuff on a regular basis do not rely on 9mm, and comparable cartridges, for that exact reason.



The problem with that logic is that no one has perfect shot placement 100% of the time, especially in realistic field conditions. And something like a .22lr would most definitely require perfect shot placement to have 1 shot lethality on something like a black bear. This goes back to my earlier statement: just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done.

I know that there a lot of pistol cartridges which, under the right circumstances, can kill black bear and deer. I'm looking for a cartridge that is well-suited to killing black and deer. That's a very important distinction.

Correct, thats why I first suggested 10mm.
In my opinion, a 10mm is the best option for your task.
However, I would only use a pistol when neccessary by law. For putting medium game down, a 12 gauge is the way to go bar none.
Pistols suck at killing things.

 

[Podmonkey]

I think the half decent platforms thought is bad...........Ruger has a revolver..............

I've always been confused by revolvers chambered in automatic cartridges. The rimmed revolver cartridges are ballistically superior to their auto loader counterparts.

 

[Shoots100]

Your looking for a lightweight pistol that your going to be carrying more than shooting, but want it powerful enough to kill a large injured animal that may attack you or your dogs when confronted.
That's the reasons I've been carrying a Taurus Titanium 444ULT 44 mag revolver for the last couple of years.
28.3 Oz's. Sometimes I forget I'm carrying it, even with 6 rounds of 240 grn HP's
6 rounds of 44 mag goodness, with multiple choice's of bullets available.
If you want to download, use 44 special.
Revolver reliability, made out of materials to take whatever mother nature throws at it.
I liked it so much, I bought another one and a double shoulder holster.
12 rounds of 44 mag, with left or right hand access.
Whatever you choose, practice with it and make sure it's reliable.

 

[71velle]

I've always been confused by revolvers chambered in automatic cartridges. The rimmed revolver cartridges are ballistically superior to their auto loader counterparts.

The only revolver cartridge that is compatible to a 10mm is a 41 magnum and that went over like a fart in church...

 

[ECU Pirates]

The only revolver cartridge that is compatible to a 10mm is a 41 magnum and that went over like a fart in church...

They are not even close.

 

[71velle]

They are not even close.

Yes 41 is more powerful I believe the hottest 10mm is at the lower end of 41 magnum but they are very close in diameter. I dont get the rimed revolver cartridge being ballistically superior to the autoloaders tho...

 

[Upstate43]

Yes 41 is more powerful I believe the hottest 10mm is at the lower end of 41 magnum but they are very close in diameter. I dont get the rimed revolver cartridge being ballistically superior to the autoloaders tho...

Compare the sectional densities and energies being produced. The .357 Mag and the 10mm are at least in the same ballpark. The heavier magnums (.41 mag and up) offer a jump in performance for both areas.